Following its withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Russia launched a series of extensive strikes targeting Ukraine's grain and export facilities. The attacks, involving missiles and drones, focused on the Black Sea coast, particularly Odesa, over two consecutive nights. A military spokesperson described the assault as a "truly massive attack."

The Kremlin justified its withdrawal from the year-old grain deal, which facilitated Ukrainian grain exports, by claiming that its own export stipulations were not being met. The attacks commenced mere hours after the deal's termination.

Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, confirmed the widespread nature of the attacks, noting that at least a dozen civilians sustained injuries, primarily around port facilities, though no fatalities were reported. Ukrainian authorities indicated that Russia utilized a variety of weaponry, including Kalibr cruise missiles, Onyx supersonic missiles, Kh-22 anti-ship missiles, and kamikaze drones. While Ukrainian forces successfully intercepted a significant number of these projectiles, many still penetrated their defenses, causing considerable damage and panic among residents.

The attacks prompted a surge in grain prices, exacerbating concerns about global food security initially triggered by Russia's departure from the grain initiative. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemned the attacks, accusing Russia of jeopardizing global food supplies and impacting the world's most vulnerable populations.

Russia described the offensive as a retaliatory measure for a prior attack on the Crimea Bridge, which resulted in the death of two Russian civilians. Although Ukrainian officials have alluded to their involvement in the bridge incident, they haven't formally claimed responsibility.